Miners build on FTSE's high

Miners have started the day strong and BHP Billiton is up 1.4% as gold hovers near a 25-year high in Europe amid concerns supplies may be disrupted. A strike in Chile has already boosted copper futures. Chemicals firm ICI is also a top gainer this morning, rising 1.2% to 339p after Merrill Lynch raised its price target on the stock to 400p a share from 350p. Elewhere on the FTSE 250 index, EasyJet has climbed 4.5%, buoyed by speculation the budget airline is gearing up to defend itself from a takeover bid as reports suggest it has appointed Goldman Sachs as its financial adviser. And ...